Hunting of marine animals AC IV: Black Flag Guide

Last update: 10 May 2019

Each one of the five big fishes is to be encountered in two spots in the Caribbean. The exception is the Bull Shark that can be found in four of them. This is how many times you need to hunt for each of the fishes to be able to craft all of the upgrades that require the trophies which you won on them. The map gives you spots where you can find each fish, right at the beginning. After the first hunting, the fish changes its location. The new spot where you need to hunt for it is near the previous one. This way, the fish cannot leave the area assigned to it. In other words, there is no such situation in which the Great White Shark from the South of the map moves over to the North, after several hunts.

If the new spot is in the area controlled by a seized fort, it will be shown on the map.

Each of the hunts for the big fish consists of several phases. The first one is the attempt to shoot the animal with harpoon, with rope tied to it. If successful, the animal starts to flee and drag the boat behind it. Keep shooting harpoons at it but, be prepared that, sooner or later, the animal breaks loose, regardless of whether you kept shooting at it or not. After it escapes, the animal will attempt to attack the boat. If you manage to hit it again, you will attach the rope and the whole thing starts over. If not, the boat will be damaged. The hunt finishes after the animal has lost all of its health points.

Keep looking for the pools of blood that the wounded animal is leaking, they will make the hunt easier. In the case of some of the fishes, it is very important because, apart from blood, you will be able to spot nothing else. Also, remember that you need to correct the course in which you should steer. Throw the harpoon a bit in front of the fish, instead directly into it. Do not wait for the opponent's move, because the fish will attack the boat even if you leave it alone. The exception is the situation in which you have just started the hunt. In such a case, the fish will show no interest in you.

You can hunt for the Bull Shark and the Hammerhead Shark without any upgrades. When it comes to the Killer Whale, it is best to upgrade both your harpoon and the boat. If you do not feel up to it, hunt for the Humpback Whale only after you have upgraded to the elite harpoon. A supply of harpoons also will come in handy in any case, because the smaller fishes are difficult to hit, due to their speed, and the bigger ones have more health points.

The Bull Shark

During the chase, it jerks to the sides strong. Also, often changes directions, which make it difficult to hit it again. In spite of that, it takes quite a lot of time for it to break the rope. Its attack consists of swimming up to the boat and ramming against it. It will be perfectly visible then, as it swims right below the surface.

The Hammerhead Shark

This one is quite big and well visible, just like the Bull Shark, it jerks the rope a lot after it is hit. Still, a lot of time needs to pass before it manages to break loose. After it does, it approaches you in zigzags and rams the ship. Its health is at the level of the Bull Shark.

The Great White Shark

This is a more difficult target to get, than the Bull Shark. It is fast and it jerks a lot and also has more health points. After it breaks loose, it attacks in two ways: by ramming into the ship, which gives you some time for a counterattack, or jumps out of water right in front of it. In the latter case, you will have very little time to respond.

The Killer Whale

Attacks in a way similar to the Bull Shark or the Great White Shark, but it inflicts more damage and has more health points.

The Humpback Whale

This huge, and the toughest fish is the most difficult to hut. In the initial phase, it swims far away from the boat and rarely appears above the surface. It can also be spotted as it is hiding under the surface but, it is difficult to do that. The easiest way to hit it is when it moves its tail above the surface. After it breaks loose the whale does not charge, but it jumps out of water right in front of the bow. You'd better be prepared for that, or the boat will sustain heavy damage.